Disrespect toward Black women continues to make headlines after a UFC fighter’s shocking remarks about a former First Lady went largely unchecked. Josh Hokit, a 28-year-old heavyweight fighter, has finally spoken out following his controversial post-fight comments—but an apology wasn’t part of the conversation.
Two days after his victory at UFC Freedom 250, where he defeated Derrick Lewis by TKO, Hokit posted on Instagram. His caption read: “Strong and Courageous‼ The only two reasons I joined this sport.” He went on to talk about exercising strength daily and backing it up with hard work, saying the money and success would follow. What he didn’t do? Acknowledge or take back his offensive remarks about disrespect toward Black women that he’d made during the live broadcast.
“I’m not here to be liked. I’m not here to be a role model,” Hokit stated. “I don’t care. I’m here to succeed. I’ll do whatever it takes to get where I want to go, and if you don’t like it… Come beat me in a fight.” This defensive posture came after the backlash intensified following his comments at the White House South Lawn event honoring America’s 250th birthday.
During that June 13 event, moments after his victory, Hokit told interviewer Joe Rogan something deeply disrespectful. The crowd’s reaction and the subsequent silence from leadership sparked outrage across social media. Many called out what they saw as personal attacks wrapped in the guise of trash talk—with underlying tones that echoed harmful stereotypes rooted in how Black women have historically been portrayed and diminished.
Piece of shit @Josh_HokitUFC wants us to believe that his words was mere trash talk when in fact it was personal and Racist. Fuck him and the organization that allowed him to spew ignorance and hate. #BoycottTheUFC#BoycottJoshHokit pic.twitter.com/iDsdSSjSmh
The White House initially chose not to denounce Hokit when CNN asked for comment on Monday. That silence spoke volumes to many watching. The View’s Sunny Hostin offered powerful perspective on the show, breaking down exactly why these moments matter.
“Black women have been slurred and made to feel that they were unattractive, made to feel masculine, made to feel that they didn’t have the femininity that a white woman would have,” Hostin said. “The crowd laughed at the statement, and the president of the United States smirked and never addressed what was said. That is beneath the dignity of the office of the president of the United States, and it’s beneath the dignity of the American people.”
This isn’t the first time such rhetoric has surfaced at the highest levels. Back in February, President Trump went viral after posting an image depicting the Obamas as apes. When backlash followed, then White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt dismissed concerns as “fake outrage.” The pattern of response—or lack thereof—reveals how normalized such disrespect has become for some.
What matters now is accountability. Whether through cultural meditation on how we speak about public figures or through concrete action from institutions, something has to shift. The UFC organization, the White House, and Hokit himself all had opportunities to choose better. So far, they’ve chosen silence.
★m★
